Billings MT vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 86.3% | 62.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.6% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.2% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $541,899 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 49.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3234 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Billings +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.3% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 25.9% | Billings + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 17.2 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 27.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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